Midwives up for national awards for innovative work

FIVE midwives from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU) are in the running for national awards for their innovative work.

Julie Austin, Chris Jones and Enfys Rogers from Singleton Hospital, and Tanneke Berwick and Susan Preece from Princess of Wales have reached the finals of the 2014 Royal College of Midwives Annual Awards.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on January 22.

Singleton midwife Julie Austin and postnatal ward sister Chris Jones are up for the Philips Avent Award for Innovation in Midwifery.

They initiated a project that addressed the problem of providing timely pain relief for new mothers on the postnatal ward – by giving control of medication to the mums themselves.

Chris said: “Traditional medicine rounds wouldn’t work as mums are given their pain relief at different times because their babies are born at different times.

“When the ward was busy there could sometimes be a delay in getting them their pain relief.”

“It’s good for the mums but it’s also good for the midwives because it frees up more of our time.”

They visit families at home and in hospital, providing support and counselling to parents to help them through their grief.

Last year, in conjunction with the Child Bereavement Trust, they held the first study day in Wales and they provide regular training sessions for midwives and for doctors.

Tanneke and Susan also helped set up the Bro Morgannwg Baby Loss Support Group. This has charitable status and has raised more than £30,000 to date, funding two children’s gardens of remembrance where memorial services are held.